10 Simple Ways to Enjoy the "Little Things"
Do you ever find yourself twiddling your toes, watching the tide go back and forth and wondering why you are so stressed, overwhelmed, or perplexed of life, even when life is going really well? I know I have... but what if I could give you just a few simple tricks to stop and let your soul breathe.... what would that do... how could that change your day? ...
... your life!
This week... it's all about the LITTLE things.
Usually after I finish a BIG project... like I just did... I find myself trying to calm down as I get all worked up about what to do next... should I start that big painting, or do I need to work on my children's book, marketing, business, blah blah blah!! At one second, I lose track of life and can get all worked up about the silliest things. But if the reigns are not pulled in, the horses controlled, and the route adjusted... one can find themselves falling down a HUGE cliff of despair, stress, worry, the list goes on.
What I discovered to get myself OUT of that cycle, is to stop... and look at the little things in life. There are many MANY ways to interpret the little things... What I am going to list here are the 10 simple ways I find to help PULL back the reigns... and adjust my mind. Doing so brings me joy, peace, hope, and happiness to life's journey. Enjoy!
(These should be done outside... preferably in a quiet space... but if you're inside, jot them down and take a walk tonight or write them down for when you're going here and there.)
1. DEEP BREATH: It may seem really silly or cliche, but it's true. Stop right now (preferably outside if you are able), and take the deepest breath you can, hold it.... annnnnnd exhale. Smile (even if you don't want to) and notice how you feel.
2. BE CURIOUS: Take a minute to find and follow a living creature: butterfly, a bird, squirrel, etc. and watch it's every move. What is it doing? where is it going? Is it playing with other animals like it, or does it appear to be on an adventure?
3. LIVE IN THE CLOUDS: This is something I LOVE to do. Stare at the clouds and watch their formations, their movement, color, etc.... constantly changing and moving. Are there storms lurking or happy clouds bouncing from one area to another? Let yourself move with them and get away from the noise and hustle down here.
4. PAINT THE SKY: Very much like the clouds, just look up at the sky and notice the color. If it's getting near sunset, how is the shade of blue changing? Create a circle with your fingers and put it up next to the sky.. notice how the color is probably not what you thought it would be. Maybe it has more purple or green than you thought... or maybe it's more pink than you are willing to admit. (for all you macho men out there.)
5. GET OUT YOUR MAGNIFYING GLASS: Look at the ground.... Are you standing on rocks or grass? What color is it? How does it feel? Get really close to it and take a look around the grass blades or around the rocks/pavement.... are their little creatures like ants or spiders busy at work? is there dew or raindrops still resting on the grass or maybe with the help of the sun, the color of green could change dramatically from area to area.
6. FIND UNIQUENESS: Watch people! Now I don't mean "stalking!!" What I find fascinating is watching other people interact with others and just be themselves. Everyone is created unique and has something unique to offer. Rather than judging people... what would it look like to see the little ways they express themselves or dress. Ask questions to yourself and think about where this person is coming from? Are they from this country? Do they have an interesting past or maybe a horrible past they are trying to overcome. Be gracious and let your heart reach out to them.
7. FOLLOW SHADOWS: This requires sunshine (hahaha for us Great Pacific NW residents, it can be a challenge.) But I always enjoyed doing this even when I was in a building... watching the shadows shift as the sun was setting or moving onward. It's something that brought me peace to something you cannot change... accepting the movement of life.
8. LISTEN TO WHISPERS & WHISTLES: This may seem crazy to some... but it's not to me. I love the wind. The noise it creates, the movement... cutting and sweeping back and forth and around. Sometimes creating a small simple whisper in your ear, while other times, whistling or yelling past you so fast as to say... stop! & LISTEN to ME!
9. STARRY NIGHT SURPRISE: Staring up at the sky after the sun has gone down is one of the sweetest things. Watch the color blue deepen at every minute... the glimmer of more stars shining at each passing moment. The unknown that seems so vast and yet... right at our finger tips. Again... stop, be curious, ask questions. Wish upon a falling star!
10. EVERYTHING EXCEPT YOU: Next time you go for a walk.... look at everything around you. Instead of going really fast, stop, bend down to see what is beside the road? What is behind the blackberry bush? What caused the ripple in the water... and watch how the ripple moves further and further out till when does it stop? This step and all the steps demand one thing....
.... SILENCE ...
I know you can do amazing things!! I know you can live a very fruitful and amazing life.... and be HAPPY!!! But I also know it's very easy to continue to move forward from one task to the next without really looking at ourselves as just a spec in the view of this entire world/universe. You were uniquely made and have a purpose that only YOU can fulfill. Your goal is to not work so hard to make it in the world and be somebody... but it's to be happy, enjoy life by enjoying L-I-F-E .... love others around you and make a difference by reacting out of the SILENCE from in your own soul.
Until next time...
sending light and love,
priscilla jo